Replies

1. 
   dovetail97128 | Dec 06, 2006 06:57am | #1

   I saw a reprint of the article awhile ago.. fascinating stuff. More fascinating is the methodolgy of the way it works.

2. 
   caseyr | Dec 06, 2006 07:22am | #2

   Not needing any diving boards, I can't think of any use I would have for it. I am thinking about using some of the translucent concrete, however, if the stuff isn't a king's ransom or two.

   http://optics.org/articles/news/10/3/10
   http://www.gizmag.com/go/5093/

1. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Dec 06, 2006 07:42am | #3

   How about a pour that doesn't need to be vibrated?  Or a slab without cutting the crack points?

   Here is a more fleshed out article about what it can do:http://www.structuremag.org/archives/2006/July-2006/SF-Bendable-Concrete-for-Structures-on-line-v-July-06.pdfRebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

   Also a CRX fanatic!

1. 
   BillBrennen | Dec 06, 2006 12:39pm | #4

   Paul,Thanks for posting that link. I just read the article. The implications are staggering for new applications of concrete. At 3 times the cost per yard, the product will be very affordable for many applications still unthought of. Very cool.Bill

1. 
   peteshlagor | Dec 06, 2006 10:24pm | #5

   Variations on this concept are in use now. 

   Currently, I working on an outdoor deck that will be covered with flexible ceement  total of 3/4" thick.  Waterproof,  low maintenance, class A fire rating, and totally customizable of color and texture.

    

1. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Dec 06, 2006 10:44pm | #6

   What is going into the mix that you are using?Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

   Also a CRX fanatic!

2. 
   peteshlagor | Dec 06, 2006 11:46pm | #7

   http://www.miracote.com  Search for their Miraflex II decking system.

   Specifically, the procedure is:

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=79912.13

   As far as what's in it, I dunno.  I'm assuming some form of epoxy and and/or acrylic fortification.  The components need to be mixed with Part A and part B.  When using the repair mortars, the catalyst is a milky white color.

    

3. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Dec 06, 2006 11:53pm | #8

   I think that might be something different - not a cement based productRebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

   Also a CRX fanatic!

4. 
   peteshlagor | Dec 07, 2006 12:52am | #9

   At least two of the components are portland based.  The first repair mortar looks about like portland, a bit more grainly.  The MPC is similar to thinset, either white or grey, smooth or sanded.  The waterproofing, no it's not.  The toppings are epoxy based.

   I guess thats why they call it a system.

5. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Dec 07, 2006 01:04am | #10

   Better living through modern chemistry!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

   Also a CRX fanatic!

3. 
   segundo | Dec 07, 2006 01:05am | #11

   it would be great as a stucco type finish, i imagine it is crack resistant

4. 
   CapnMac | Dec 07, 2006 01:20am | #12

   http://www.sciencentral.com/articles/view.php3?type=article&article_id=218392622

   Of course, the real issue in lateral forces, like earthquakes, is not the flexibility, it's the "breaking" that needs preventing.  (I'm still picturing a wobbly 10 story office building <g>).

   Now, for a more interesting article, they should have gone to my first though, which was roadmetal.  The reason we pave with asphalt is its "give."  The problem with asphalt is that it has "give," too.  Hollow out a spot under asphalt and it disintigrates (a leak making a hollow between asphalt and a concrete sub-base does the same).

   Airport runways would also benefit from this sort of tech, too.

   Now, for "far out," I can imagine some interesting effects if a person used flex-concrete for a finished material, rather than as a structural one.  Those way-modern hyperbolic parabaloids from school that never quite had a use to match the cost--but, an ellipse of flex concrete fastened to a metal frame might make a cool table shelter for a road-side stop; or for park structures.

   Mind you, it's going to make a different kind of concrete creep <g> . . .

   Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
1. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Dec 07, 2006 01:44am | #13

   Of course, the real issue in lateral forces, like earthquakes, is not the flexibility, it's the "breaking" that needs preventing.  (I'm still picturing a wobbly 10 story office building <g>).

   Actually, I think it does behave just like regular concrete.  Same ridgidity - no wobble.  But when those massive lateral forces are applied (all those non-compression forces concrete does so poorly with) is where it behaves differently.  Instead of having large cracks appear where pieces can spall and whole pieces get cleaved off, lots of tiny microfissures appear instead.  These fissure are literally hair thickness.  The properties of the PVA fibers bonding to the cement keep it all together - like millions of little seatbelts.  As long as the deformation isn't too severe, the fissured concrete will still stay together based on this PVA bond and the interlocking nature of the fissure.  In the earth quake, the building with the PVA ECC will rock gently back and forth, while the typical RC building will have the concrete cleave off the steel reinforcement and collapse down on it.

   Almost like a rip stop nylon, but for man made rock!Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

   Also a CRX fanatic!

5. 
   Piffin | Dec 07, 2006 02:02am | #14

   But can it hold a screw?

   ;)

   fascinating! I knew that fly ash makes a stronger more flexable mix, but that stuff is full of Wow factor

    

    

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   Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
    where ...
   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   xxPaulCPxx | Dec 07, 2006 09:24pm | #15

   I realized what the analogy on this is:  Concrete is to ECC as Polycarbonate is to bulletproof glass.

   Clear sheets of polycarbonate make great windows and are plenty strong, but they can still shatter.  If you make many layers of them - interspersed with layers of polymer film, you get a composit product that is hard and soft at the same time.  The bulletproof glass has nearly the same properties of just a plain sheet of polycarb, but the layers give it extra abilities like the ability to stop and trap projectiles within the layers while leaving the greater structure intact.

   Funny you mention screws!  One of their selling point of PVA additives over metalic additives (apparently other products like this use metal) is that the cement doesn't bond nearly as well to steel. 

   I guess that means all the tapcons should be made from PVA plastic :)Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA

   Also a CRX fanatic!

1. 
   segundo | Dec 08, 2006 02:08am | #16

   is that a "piffin screw" yer askin about, or were you thinking ahout a regular screw?